A-Zal Charts on iHeartMedia’s Mediabase Activator Chart – New York Artist Cracks it With Debut Single
A-Zal, the latest American singer coming into limelight in the American pop music world, has got some success on US radio charts. On August 11, 2023, the singer released his debut single, "Movie Script," which quickly catapulted into the spotlight. In its second week of release, the single entered the charts in the USA on iHeartMedia's Mediabase Activator Chart, making A-Zal one of only three independent artists to break into the top 51 for the week. The song climbed to the #51 position in its fourth week, marking a remarkable ascent from #62 in the third week and #93 in the second week of its release.
The artist first came to limelight for his work with Marvel Studios on two of their well known series, Loki and Ms. Marvel. A-Zal's debut single didn't go unnoticed beyond USA, as radio stations in the UK, Ireland, and Australia swiftly picked up "Movie Script," putting it into their spins. This accomplishment is a significant achievement for an independent artist and underscores A-Zal's rapid ascent in the highly competitive US pop music industry. Mediabase, a division of iHeartMedia, is well-known for its charts and airplay data, which are frequently featured on popular radio countdown shows and televised music awards programs.
he song released with an animated music video and A-Zal also marks his directorial debut with this self-directed music video for the single. While it's uncertain whether he will direct his future music videos, this animation-style video has garnered significant attention. The music video heavily incorporates animations to visually represent the song's lyrics. In the chorus section, there's a playful depiction of a small-sized A-Zal dancing on the hands of a regular-sized A-Zal, creating a captivating dreamlike world.
A-Zal's journey serves as a reminder that any dream can be if you have the talent and the will to do it. With the success of his debut single, audiences eagerly await to see if his upcoming songs will match the groovy and danceable style of "Movie Script" or if he will venture into new musical territory.
Bec Leigh On the Making Of ‘Inside Out’
What was the creative process like for this particular 'Inside Out?'
The creative process behind the “Inside Out” album was an incredible artistic journey, filled with passion and a desire to create something beautiful. Each song began with an emotionally charged backstory, and a captivating song concept, providing the foundation for a deeply personal and expressive musical experience. As I was working with a co-writer, we engaged in profound discussions to capture the essence and emotional depth of each song.
Together we discussed the musical style and explored various lyric ideas, gradually weaving together the foundation of each track. We carefully shaped them with raw acoustic melodies that beautifully complemented the heartfelt lyrics.
At the heart of this musical endeavour was the desire to establish a profound emotional connection with the listeners. Every musical element was carefully curated, from the evocative melodies to the vulnerable and honest vocal performances.
Once the initial vocal tracks were recorded, I teamed up with my producer to embark on a joint musical exploration. Together, we delved into the albums musical direction, focusing on evoking powerful emotions from our audience. For me, creating songs with a sincere emotional impact was of utmost importance.
With the musical composition finalized, I re-recorded the vocals, adding delicate harmonies to enrich the overall sound. My producer skilfully mixed and mastered the tracks, giving them a polished and professional finish that would resonate deeply with listeners when the album was eventually released.
What is your personal favourite song from 'Inside Out' and why?
Oh that’s a really difficult question! It’s almost like choosing between my own kids and my preferences change daily. I feel they are all special in their own way. But okay, if I have to choose, my personal favourite song from Inside Out would be “Inside Out” itself.
This song is close to my heart because it tackles the issue of judgement and societal pressures head-on. It takes a deep dive into how we are all affected by superficial standards revolving around appearances and material possessions and how damaging they are. The song urges us to see beyond these facades and embrace our shared humanity, fostering a world that’s more compassionate, accepting and inclusive.
What impact do you hope 'Inside Out' will have on your audience?
With the album “Inside Out”, my ultimate goal is to create a transformative and resonating experience for the listeners. The collection of songs delves into various aspects of life, touching on themes like self-discovery, relationships, societal pressures, and the importance of empathy.
Through the album, I hope to challenge societal norms, and the judgement tendencies that often lead us to overlook the shared humanity of others. I want to encourage listeners to see beyond appearances and material possessions, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate world.
Moreover, the album aims to inspire introspection and personal growth. It invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and relationships, acknowledging the impact of deceit and the value of open communication.
At its core, “Inside Out” is a celebration of authenticity and empowerment. It urges listeners to prioritize their own well-being, to recognize their worth, and to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
In essence, my desire is for the album “Inside Out” to leave a lasting impace on the hearts and minds of its audience. By sharing personal stories and heartfelt emotions, I hope to connect with listeners on a profound level, inspiring positive change in their lives. Through the power of music and storytelling, my aspiration is to foster empathy, understanding, and kindness, contribution to a more compassionate and united world.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
My musical journey began with a love for singing, but it took a life-changing event to propel me towards a career in music. After going through a traumatic break-up in my early twenties, I found solace in music and performing. It became a way to connect with others and rediscover the joys of life.
I took on the role of co-lead vocalist in the Alan Barnes Band and performed as the lead singer in various bands across Adelaide for many years. I had the incredible opportunity to open for James Reyne during his Australian tour and even headlined at the Tunarama in Port Lincoln.
While performing other artist’s songs was gratifying, I felt a strong desire to express my own voice through music. This lead me to venture into song writing, creating my own unique compositions.
In addition to my artistic pursuits, I derive great satisfaction from teaching young musicians. I aim to empower and encourage them to embrace their individuality and passion for original music. I currently teach voice at Faith Lutheran College and Barossa Music School, while also offering private lessons from my home. It’s a privilege to share my knowledge and inspire the next generation of artist to set their voices free, embrace their uniqueness, and build the confidence to shine.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
The inspiration for my songs and musical ideas comes directly from my own life journey an experiences. I draw from the raw emotions and valuable lessons I’ve gained, particularly from my encounters with both loving and abusive relationships. Sometimes, inspiration strikes when I least expect it – a simple conversation with a friend or a line from a movie can spark an idea. However, at the core of every song, you’ll find elements rooted in my personal experiences and thoughts.
Eide Olsen “Anchored”
Good music rarely need much of a description. It takes you on a journey and makes you think deeper about life. It brings back long-forgotten feelings and lift up your spirits. “Anchored” is all those things. With the golden glitters of jazz dissolves into a dark-soaked sonic palette, filtered through cinematic, scenic lens, transcending into a sonic landscape that’s timeless and unique. The atmosphere is a little hazy and smoky, but only from the brewing of rich and complex emotions.
Is life truly worth it? Once or twice in our life, for some, maybe many times too often, we find ourselves in deep water and asking the very question. In most cases, we let out a long sigh and keep on keeping on, but the deep mental pain and exhaustion leading up to existential crisis is beeping in high alarm. “Anchored” comes in the threads woven from this question. Eide Olsen aims to uplift those in deep water. In truth, he takes the listeners on a much needed, soul-searching trip.
Like a sonic film that rolls before your mind eyes and like a semi-lucid dream, “Anchored” drops you into deeper introspection. Thunders came rumbling underneath Olsen’s airy deep voice. Like a time capsule itself that sees the concentration of years of living, “Anchored” captured him in soul-baring state, authentically channeling the deep pains and fights into his music. There’s so much that goes on, spiritually and emotionally, with the words and melodic landscapes splashing against the sonic shore.
Listening to “Anchored” is like taking a walk of solitude or a cross country trip where you face your most feared demons. Such journey is turbulent and thorny, but also memorable and life-altering. It holds a special place in your heart, and every time you think about it, you’ll remember how far you’ve come. “Anchored” is like that movie you keep revisiting. It’s deep and epic, therapeutic and stirring.
The harmonious echos and resonance comes from a remarkable 14-year-old vocalist, whose innocence and ethereal voice adds another layer to the song.
Below we chat with Olsen on the creation of “Anchored” and his musical styles.
Punk Head: I love the intricacy and message "Anchored" send. What's the inspiration behind the song?
Eide Olsen: Most of us sometimes find life in general challenging but maybe just once or twice during our lifetime we actually feel it necessary to (sincerely) ask ourselves the question, is it worth it? And if we ever come to that point it's almost impossible to find a way out of the overwhelming darkness. The song aspires to give an answer on how to overcome such mental pain, but honestly I do not know if it does.
PH: Can you talk about any collaborations you had while making this single?
Olsen: The girl that sings along with me on the song is only 14 years old and in my opinion a remarkable talent. The hopeful innocence of her voice becomes a strong contrast to the darkness of the lyrics. Also I would like to mention Irek Wojtzcak, the soprano saxophone player. Renowned throughout Europe as a jazz avant-gardist, Irek in this piece shows a new side of his talent, filling the melodic landscape with the most endearing and beautiful colors.
PH: What is your creative vision as an artist?
Olsen: To me music is like colors reflecting thoughts and feelings. My creative ambition is to be honest in the ways I put it all together. Lyrics, melodies, expression and production - when all the variables connect and fit - it comes out as a whole, and the listener can feel that there is something there! If I can make that happen, the song fulfills its mission and that is the reward I seek.
PH: Who are your biggest influences?
Olsen: The singer/songwriter tradition holds a lot of names I could mention but if I have to start from the top: Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Mark Knopfler, Phil Collins, Paul McCartney... So yes indeed, it is fair to say I am a bit old-school.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Olsen: That I am an almost fanaticly romantic person that lives by the rule: Use your head about tomorrow, but the heart about today!
Intercontinen7al “Some Thousand Feet High”
Music without border is a vision shared by many creative minds across the globe. Formed in 2020, the international collective Intercontinen7al makes history when they begin to record music across all seven continents, featuring over 30 musicians from 15 countries. The vast and diverse cultural and musical backgrounds and influences that go into their music creation is intriguing and leave many to think of “world music” in default, but that’s not where their sounds lay.
The featured track, “Some Thousand Feet High,” from their third album Intercontinen7al Vol. 3 taps into an universal sound with a universal message that appeal to everyone no matter where they are, reminding you of the human experience that we all share. Featuring thought-provoking lyrics and captivating pop melodies, the track is cinematic, moody, dark and melodic.
“Some Thousand Feet High” vibrates between the sultry atmosphere and vulnerable, emotive, urban experiences. Introspective and stunning, the track leaves you thoughts wandering through the sparks that evoke, remind, connect dots in your mind. Being so absolutely refreshing, yet at the same time, nostalgic and intimate.
In response to Russian and Ukrainian war, the profits from this record go toward Ukrainian refugee relief. Read our interview with Intercontinen7al about the massive process behind their completely virtual collaboration.
Punk Head: I love the moody atmosphere you created in “Some Thousand Feet High.” Can you tell me a little more about the song?
Intercontinen7al: Absolutely! So this song has an interesting origin story :) Some Thousand was completely composed and recorded remotely, using the music multi-track app BandLab. Jukerok, an extremely talented Egyptian musician, uploaded the main haunting piano, synth and guitar melodies into a BandLab project file back in June of 2021, and provided the title of "Some Thousand Feet High" with some lyrical ideas. Within a week our vocalist extraordinaire Andrasta from the United Kingdom provided some thought provoking words and melodic vocal parts, but maintaining the song title that Jukerok had established. Other artists in the group eventually began providing their respective parts by "stacking" their tracks onto the BandLab project, including USA's Dale Pearson on saxophone, Argentina's Nereo on bass, and Japan's Tnbt on drums.
PH: Was there any challenge that you encountered while making the track?
Intercontinen7al: As stated above, since the whole track was completed remotely instead of in a physical recording studio environment, it took a fair amount of back and forth communication within the BandLab chat environment to determine the status of individual instrumentation tracks. However, since this is INTERCONTINEN7AL's third album, we have developed a solid cadence regarding how to finalize these songs for the record.
PH: Can you tell us more about you as an artist?
Intercontinen7al: INTERCONTINEN7AL is truly unique, in that we are the first band to ever record original music with instrumentation across all 7 continents, to include Antarctica. Our latest album Volume 3 includes a remastered version of the song ‘Manor Hill,’ which includes instruments from all continents, and contains an opening classical guitar passage from Aymar de Lichtervelde and percussion from Stijn Thoolen, both stationed in Antarctica at the time of recording.
PH: Who are your biggest influences?
Intercontinen7al: Our influences vary considerably, due to the scope and scale of the group. For example, Andrasta lists Prince, Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman as major influences, while for me personally (Matt Smith, band founder and musician), I would list Pearl Jam, Chris Cornell and John Frusciante as artists that made a major footprint on my musical psyche. Our group covers a wide range of genres, such as heavy metal, pop, blues, funk, and even showtunes, so no stone is left unturned.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Intercontinen7al: One thing that I wanted to reiterate is that our band strives to raise money for respective charities with each release, and for Volume 3 all streaming proceeds or sales go towards Ukrainian refugee relief. Please consider donating to the cause.